Child Sacrifice

Q

How are we to understand the account in Judges 11:30-40, where Jephthah vowed to the Lord to offer up whatever came forth from his house upon his return, as a burnt offering, if the Lord gave him victory over the Ammonites? His daughter, his only child came out and he was distraught because of his vow. Was she offered up as a burnt offering? Thank you for your insight, I’ve learned much from your website. God Bless.

Q.It appears from the passage that Jephthah did indeed sacrifice his daughter to the Lord with her full consent. (See v. 36 and 39) This would have been neither desired by nor pleasing to the Lord who had prohibited such things. (Deut 18:10) Jephthah acted wholly on

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Q.How are we to understand the account in Judges 11:30-40, where Jephthah vowed to the Lord to offer up whatever came forth from his house upon his return, as a burnt offering, if the Lord gave him victory over the Ammonites? His daughter, his only child came out and he was distraught because of his vow. Was she offered up as a burnt offering? Thank you for your insight, I’ve learned much from your website. God Bless.

Q.It appears from the passage that Jephthah did indeed sacrifice his daughter to the Lord with her full consent. (See v. 36 and 39) This would have been neither desired by nor pleasing to the Lord who had prohibited such things. (Deut 18:10) Jephthah acted wholly on his own initiative.